D.A.C.D Vs Clanfield C.C

D.A.C.D travelled to Sunderton Meadow, Clanfield looking to extend a run of 5 straight victories against the home team.

Under overcast conditions Clanfield won the toss and with a side containing a fine blend of experience and Youth decided to bat. Openers Chambers and Scott-Angel struggled against the fiery new ball attack of Guy Andrews and Colin Lord. The batsmen found scoring extremely difficult on a wicket of variable bounce, a very lush outfield and a well drilled fielding side with wicket keeper Richard Maidment quite outstanding. Chambers was first to go adjudged LBW to Lord; this brought James Restell to the crease and a change in bowlers with Rob Spate and Captain Meredydd Hughes being brought into the attack. It was a welcome return to the 1^st team for Rob Spate after he had missed the whole of the previous season with a bad shoulder injury. The spin twins wrought havoc on the turning pitch and picked up the combined figures of 4-39 in their 14 overs dismissing Scott-Angel, Restell, Southgate and Bob Wheeler and continually troubling Hambledon’s rising star Dan Wheeler. Wheeler was eventually out well caught by Andy Robinson off the bowling of Martin Beach for 26, his younger brother Chris followed next ball caught by Dave Knott again of Martin Beach. Hughes and Knott combined to run-out Wyatt and Barry Booker was left on 2 not out. Clanfield C.C 93 – 8.

Skipper Hughes and Guy Andrews opened the innings for D.A.C.D and had progressed to 9 without mishap until Guy played all around a straight ball from Chambers. Stuart Barden and Colin Lord followed soon after both undone by the flighted off-breaks of Bob Wheeler. The skipper and Martin Beach put on a valuable 22 for the 4^th wicket before Dan Wheeler after having a number of improbable LBW shouts turned down bowled Beach for 10. Dan Wheeler continued a fast and firey spell and finally bowled Andy Robinson after a long period of stubborn resistance with a ball that didn’t bounce. With well taken singles and a couple of forceful straight drives Knotty and skipper Hughes inched the total onwards until Knott was needlessly run-out to end an invaluable 25 run partnership. With victory in sight Drav confidently strode to the wicket to watch the skipper smash a huge 6 over mid-wicket and then played the shot of the day himself off James Restell to bring the scores level. Somewhat distracted by the forthcoming celebrations he was bowled by Restall and it was left to Meredydd to hit the winning runs and complete his 3^rd half century of the season. D.A.C.D 97 – 7.

The beer at the famous Bat & Ball tasted all that more sweeter as the boys celebrated their sixth straight win over Clanfield, lets hope D.A.C.D can win the sixes this year!